A THAI boxing instructor has gone to the birthplace of his beloved sport — to give a talk about all things Bolton.

Halliwell bricklayer Ian Walsh travelled to Thailand to take part in a special training camp and have his skills judged by monks, and also visited Rajbhat University in the north of Bangkok to see Simon Watts, an English teacher from Heaton, and talk to his class.

The 44-year-old, who volunteers and trains at Walkden Thai Boxing Club, also spent time at an orphanage building walls.

He said: “Visiting the orphanage was a good experience — there’s a lot of poverty over there, but the children were well looked after.

“At the university I did a talk about England and Thai boxing culture over here.

“I took pictures of Bolton and told them about the history of Bolton.

“They were really interested in England and people who spoke English. I learnt a lot too.”

Comments (2)

Good international relations are very important,I just hope Ian darned his socks before his trip,don't want to give the wrong impression about the western way of life.Well done Ian,I hope you have a sense of humour,I don't want you kicking down my door.

Good international relations are very important,I just hope Ian darned his socks before his trip,don't want to give the wrong impression about the western way of life.Well done Ian,I hope you have a sense of humour,I don't want you kicking down my door.boltonnut